800 cases of cyber crime in 2013

The majority of these cases – around 90% – relate to Facebook and other social media hacking, but a sizeable number involve more serious crimes, including internet banking fraud. Cases usually involve criminals pretending to be internet banking providers in order to acquire account and password details and defraud money from people’s accounts.

In his recent abortive Twitter Q&A, the President insisted that the government takes cyber crime seriously, and that the country has sufficient laws in place to deal with the issue. However, as internet and technology usage continues to grow in Sri Lanka, the problems will only increase, and whilst that does not necessarily require new legislation, it does require law enforcement that understands and is prepared to deal with the specific issues related to cyber crime.

The spokesperson for the SLCERT said that anyone can make a complaint regarding cyber crime using the hotline, 0112-691 692.